WATCH out for Holmfirth Town!
The newly-formed team will start life in the lowest division of the Huddersfield District League this season – but they have big plans for the future.
The creation of the club marks a return to football for former Town director and chairman Andrew Watson, who departed the Galpharm in November 2008.
Alongside fellow former Town players Rob Edwards and Ian Wadsworth, he was instrumental in getting the project off the ground.
The trio are joined by Josh Mallinson, who will manage the firsts, and his brother Ben, and the club – who will field first and reserve teams this season and plan to have junior sides in place for 2011-12 – already have seven ‘official partners’.
Frank Platt Electricals are the main sponsors, Worthington Brown have designed the club website and badge, Spectrum are providing administration duties while the club account is with the Yorkshire Building Society.
Thongsbridge Bowling Club will provide post-match facilities, and there are strong links with local schools Holmfirth High, where the teams will play, and Holmfirth Junior.
The club’s two strips of red and black and amber and black stripes reflect the colours of the two schools.
“Our intention is to build a proper community football club where no-one takes any personal gain,” explained Watson, who played for Exeter City, Mossley and Emley worked for Everton and Burnley, as chief executive, before his five years at Town.
“Through a partnership with Holmfirth High School, we are exploring opportunities to develop sports facilities for the whole community.
“Holmfirthtown.co.uk details our vision and how people can help.
“We have three key messages: play for Holmfirth Town, take up a voluntary club position and become an official partner for a donation of your choice.
“We already have those seven official partners and we’re looking to fill the positions of secretary, treasurer/accountant, marketing officer, welfare officer to head up the junior teams, matchday physio, groundsman and a person to seek grants.”
Watson believes Holmfirth has huge potential, explaining: “The surrounding villages all have long-established clubs, but the town itself, which has a population of around 20,000 as well as businesses and schools, doesn’t.
“There is certainly the infrastructure to build a successful club.
“I have always had a dream of starting my own team and taking it through the local leagues, and Holmfirth was an obvious choice of place.
“After almost two years out of football, I’m ready to return.
“We’re starting at grass-roots level, but that’s the way it should be, because we want to lay the foundations for a club that will be strong for years to come.”
Watson is delighted to have the backing of local businessman Bob Platt, of Frank Platt Electricals.
“Bob, who was born in Holmfirth and is still based there, had a successful career as a Yorkshire cricketer, but he also played in goal for the old Holmfirth juniors club in the 1940s,” he added.
